New type of antimicrobial protein produced by the plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2013 Sep;79(18):5721-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01065-13. Epub 2013 Jul 12.

Abstract

It has previously been shown that the tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis secretes a 14-kDa protein, C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis AMP-I (CmmAMP-I), that inhibits growth of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the causal agent of bacterial ring rot of potato. Using sequences obtained from tryptic fragments, we have identified the gene encoding CmmAMP-I and we have recombinantly produced the protein with an N-terminal intein tag. The gene sequence showed that CmmAMP-I contains a typical N-terminal signal peptide for Sec-dependent secretion. The recombinant protein was highly active, with 50% growth inhibition (IC50) of approximately 10 pmol, but was not toxic to potato leaves or tubers. CmmAMP-I does not resemble any known protein and thus represents a completely new type of bacteriocin. Due to its high antimicrobial activity and its very narrow inhibitory spectrum, CmmAMP-1 may be of interest in combating potato ring rot disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales / drug effects*
  • Actinomycetales / genetics
  • Actinomycetales / metabolism*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / metabolism*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / toxicity
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / toxicity
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / toxicity
  • Solanum lycopersicum
  • Solanum tuberosum / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins